A Day at the Florida Trucking Show: What You Need to Know
Since I’ve recently been running a car transport business that ships vehicles across the country, I've built a fascination in trucks and the trucking industry. But I also knew that I needed to learn more and grow more in this competitive field. So when I saw some ads on Instagram for the Florida Trucking Show, a regional trade show that connects suppliers and truckers, I didn't hesitate to book my tickets. I had two goals in mind: to promote my business and to meet potential partners and clients. Little did I know that this show would be a roller coaster of emotions and experiences.
The Florida Trucking Show: A New and Growing Event
The Florida Trucking Show is a relatively new event that started in 2023. It's held at the Fort Lauderdale Convention Center, which is a spacious and modern venue that can accommodate hundreds of exhibitors and thousands of visitors. The show aims to showcase the latest innovations and trends in the trucking industry, as well as provide networking opportunities for trucking professionals and enthusiasts.
The show was scheduled for February 24th and 25th, 2024, and with snowbirds begining their travels up north again, I could only do one day. I drove down from Boynton Beach, where I live and run my car transport business, and arrived at the convention center around 1 p.m. on Sunday. I was greeted by a friendly staff who checked me in and gave me a badge and a map of the show floor. I was ready to explore.
My Backstory: A Family Legacy of Car Transport
Before I tell you more about the show, let me give you some background on myself and why I was interested in attending. I'm the co-owner and operator of a car transport company that my late father founded over 45 years ago. We specialize in shipping personal vehicles from one doorstep to another, anywhere in the country, most predominantly however, on the East Coast. Have you ever needed to move your car from New York to Florida in less than two days? That's what we do best.
My father passed away a few years ago, leaving me and my mother in charge of the business. We've been fortunate enough to have a loyal customer base and a steady income, but we've also been somewhat complacent and stagnant. We haven't invested much in new technology, marketing, or expansion. We've been running the business on autopilot, so to speak.
That's why I wanted to go to the Florida Trucking Show. I wanted to get out of my comfort zone and see what's new and exciting in the trucking world. I wanted to meet other carriers and companies that I could partner with or learn from. I wanted to grow my business and take it to the next level.
My Experience: A Mix of Fun and Frustration
As soon as I entered the show floor, I was blown away by the sight of shiny and massive 18-wheelers. They were the stars of the show, and they drew me in like a magnet. I walked around and admired the different models, brands, and features. Some of them were even open for visitors to climb inside and check out the interiors. I felt like a kid in a candy store.
After a while, I realized that I wasn't here just to look at trucks. I was here to network and learn. I grabbed a drink from the bar and headed to the other side of the show floor, where the booths of suppliers and service providers were located. I hoped to find some that were relevant to my business and my needs.
Unfortunately, I soon discovered that most of the booths were not very useful for me. They were either selling parts and accessories that I didn't need, offering truck driver training that I already had, or promoting truck sales that I couldn't afford. I felt like I was at the wrong place at the wrong time.
To make matters worse, some of the booths were trying too hard to attract attention with gimmicks and games. They had spinning wheels, raffles, quizzes, and other activities that seemed childish and annoying. They were giving away prizes like toy trucks, hats, and pens that I had no interest in. I tried to avoid these booths as much as possible, but they were hard to ignore.
My Takeaway: A Few Gems Among the Rocks
Despite the disappointment and frustration, I didn't give up on the show. I kept looking for booths that had something to offer me, and I was glad I did. I managed to find a few gems among the rocks, and they made the whole trip worthwhile. Here are the ones that stood out to me:
Truckpedia: This was a new trucking CRM platform that was designed for carrier companies. It claimed to help them manage their fleets, drivers, customers, and orders in an efficient and easy way. I met the CEO, Justin, and the head marketer, Ivy, and they gave me a demo of their product. I was impressed by the features and the interface, and I saw how it could benefit my business. I exchanged contacts with them and agreed to follow up later.
Pass Time GPS: This was a GPS tracking device that could be attached to any asset, such as a truck, a trailer, or a car. It promised to provide pinpoint accuracy and real-time updates on the location and status of the asset. I met the sales representative, Mike, and he showed me how it worked. I thought it was a great idea, not only for tracking my own trucks, but also for offering my customers peace of mind when shipping their cars. I bought a few devices on the spot and planned to test them out as soon as possible.
Hotshotz Reusable Heat Packs: This booth impressed me with its friendly and helpful sales people, who demonstrated how these heat products work. They claimed that these products can relieve any kind of muscle or joint pain, which would be useful for me and my truck drivers, especially in the cold season. I think this is a great product and a potential gift idea as our season is ramping back up.
These were the three booths that made the biggest impression on me, but there were a few others that were also interesting and helpful. I collected some brochures, business cards, and samples, and I made some connections that I hoped to develop further.
Conclusion: A Worthwhile Experience
Overall, I would say that the Florida Trucking Show was a worthwhile experience for me. It wasn't perfect, and it wasn't exactly what I expected, but it had some value and potential. It exposed me to some new and exciting things in the trucking industry, and it gave me some ideas and inspiration for my own business. It also allowed me to meet some people and make some contacts that could be beneficial in the future.
I don't know if I'll go back next year, but I'm glad I went this year. I learned a lot, I had some fun, and I got some results. I think that's what a good trade show should do. If you're in the trucking business like me, you might want to check it out too. You never know what you might find.